perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
My husband and I returned to Ohio on the eve of January 6th. We left 74-degree highs in the California desert for wind chills plunging past 38 below. It was a literal shock walking out of the airport. Thankfully we had someone picking us up. Can’t image the state of the cars left at the open lots of Dayton’s International Airport. The next day
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entertaining with style- making it work for you
Make a new year’s resolution to craft a more beautiful world. Creating a fresh bouquet instantly enhances any living space. It’s as easy as one, two, three. Something so effortless as three fresh cut blooms placed in bud vases. Surrounded by votives. Mercury glass adds that certain sparkle. When creating a centerpiece count on odd numbers.
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Last week I taped my first cooking segment on television… live. The folks at Dorothy Lane Market asked me if in two days I would do a piece on holiday entertaining for Living Dayton. I said sure thinking they would be coming to the DLM Cooking School. As it turned out it was at their television studio. I took a deep breath, focused all my nervous
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Thankfully Thanksgiving was a smashing success. The “oven ready” turkey I pre-ordered from Jensen’s that came cleaned, brined, seasoned, already in a bag, and in a pan, was seriously one of the best birds any of us had ever eaten. Not only did my daughter’s cute beau make a trifecta of scratch pies- sweet potato, pecan and buttermilk, he
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something in a snap
Can’t believe Thanksgiving is just days away. I am so excited to have a full house in the desert. But with that full house brings a lot of opinions. I’m being holiday- shamed into cooking an authentic entirely by scratch multi-dished meal. Really. Must we… Obviously “we” (meaning me) must. While I was sulking and pushing my cart up and down the
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Last summer the Dorothy Lane Market School of Cooking asked me if I would teach a few classes on holiday entertaining. One of the things I’m well known for are my amazing hors d'oeuvres that seem to come together with relatively little effort, so a November class on make ahead canapés seemed perfect. I sent off nine recipes that could either be
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food detective
Nothing beats Saturday night supper for four. As fortune would have it my husband and I were invited for such a dinner last weekend. And to up the ante, not only were our host and hostess delightful friends but incredible cooks. Simmering bolognese greeted us we entered, letting us know we were in for a real treat. But what caught me by surprise
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food detective
The other day I was pushing my cart down the frozen food aisle at Trader Joes when my eye spied the most adorable carrots. These frozen little gems looked just like teeny pumpkins in a frost. I had a flashback to my catering days in the 1970’s when turned vegetables (or tournage de legumes) were all the rage. If you’ve never turned a vegetable you
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Homegrown tomatoes still grace the shelves at the market though there is a distinct chill in the air. And while it’s not quite sweater weather I find myself craving comfort food. Time to figure out a way to bridge the seasons with a meal that is as comforting as cashmere but light enough to stand up to these last nights of Indian summer. I adore
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entertaining with style- making it work for you
My day job has been competing with my care job, leaving little space for anything else. I can tell my battery is really run down. In times like these I know it’s important to carve out a few moments to take a beat and see the beauty that is all around us. So last weekend I decided to take a break and go to the farmers market. I was stunned that the
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Wherever I find myself, I’m happiest with a full dining room table. As a former professional chef and caterer I want to share what I’ve learned over the past three decades of entertaining. On this site you’ll find tricks of the trade to help even the most harried of you pull off a seemingly seamless fête. Come join the conversation! read more →